Coordination of Compensation and Benefits for Victims of the San Bernardino Terrorist Attack

About the Program

Category: Personnel Management, Employment and Training (Best in Category)

Year: 2016

The December 2, 2015 terrorist attack in San Bernardino, CA resulted in the death of 14 people, 13 of whom were County employees, and direct injury to an additional 22, all of whom were County staff. Recognizing the impact that this tragedy had on its employees and their families, the County partnered with State agencies to coordinate payments and help ensure that victims continued to receive full compensation and benefits. Affected employees were generally receiving payments from multiple sources including workers’ compensation, short term disability, earned leave accruals and the California Victim Compensation Program (Cal VCP). The County Human Resources Department and Office of the District Attorney led efforts to integrate these payments as seamlessly as possible in order to protect income and benefit levels for the victims and, with support from the State of California, was able process Cal VCP lost wage benefits through the County payroll system.